Volunteer / Internships

Volunteers are one of the backbones that support Project Bona Fide. The scale of the project and the growth of the farm will evolve as our volunteer program grows. Volunteers support a variety of projects including; natural building, tree propagation, gardening, irrigation, cooking, planting and community projects with the local community. We receive volunteers through OrganicVolunteers and WWOOF, sister non-profit organizations that helps match those looking to volunteer with projects and farms seeking help. We also accept volunteers through direct inquiry via our website, or through email inquiry: coordinator@projectbonafide.com

More detailed information about volunteering, including program information and pricing are available at our FAQ page. Please see the full list of available internship and coordinator opportunities below. Before you come and work on Ometepe at Project Bona Fide, interns will be asked to help raise funds for the organization with the support and guidance of our administration. Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to drop us an email.

Coordinator Positions

We have a variety of coordinator positions available here on the farm. Coordinators commit at least 6 months to the Project and work 40+ hours each week in exchange for room and board. Those interested in Coordinator positions are asked to fundraise for Project Bona Fide before their tenure here. Coordinators are leaders on the farm and set good examples of positive communal living, train and assist new volunteers/interns, and promote the goals and mission of Project Bona Fide both on and off the farm.

Volunteer Program Coordinator- The Volunteer Program Coordinator commits to a minimum of 7 months to the Project. He/she works directly with the Co-directors and other Coordinators to help achieve the goals and mission of Bona Fide on the ground by being a constant presence and resource to local staff and volunteers old and new. The Coordinator’s work spans all aspects of the Project and includes running the farm kitchen, directing and assisting volunteers during morning work, coordinating with local staff, dealing with the Volunteer Program finances, responding to potential volunteers via email, giving orientations and tours, and a variety of other tasks necessary for the farm to run as smooth as possible.

Position Requirements:

• Minimum time commitment of 7 months
• Fluency in Spanish
• Experience leading/organizing groups of people
• Experience living in a communal setting
• Strong work ethic and willingness to learn and share
• Ability to work in a high activity environment
• Experience handling and managing money
• Experience and familiarity with Gmail, word documents, and spreadsheets
• Basic knowledge of Permaculture principles (recommended)

Volunteer Relations Coordinator- Besides assisting the Volunteer Program Coordinator in all of the above, the Volunteer Relations Coordinator is responsible for the cooperation and cohesion of the volunteers/interns/coordinators working on the farm. He/she organizes group activities and workshops both in town and on the farm. To promote our shared continuing education, the Volunteer Relations Coordinator is invited to lead workshops and help identify training and skill-shares available to us within the volunteer community. He/she is also responsible for the comfort and well being of those living on the farm, assuring that when new people arrive there is a clean, comfortable space waiting for them.

Positions Requirements:

• Minimum time commitment of 6 months
• Moderate/Advanced Spanish
• Experience leading/organizing groups of people
• Experience living in a communal setting
• Strong work ethic and willingness to learn and share
• Experience working with Word, Excel, and Google Docs.
• Basic knowledge of Permaculture principles (recommended)

Community Outreach Coordinator- The Community Outreach Coordinator works daily at Mano Amiga, supporting the community center through development programs. He/she may work in assisting in one or more of the current programs on offer (such as computing, English, sewing, tutoring, organic gardening, children’s workshops, etc.), and is also required to submit a proposal for a new project, or development/extension of an existing project, based upon his or her specific skill set. Apart from work within the Balgue community, the Community Outreach Coordinator is expected to maintain the existing strong relationship between Project Bona Fide and Proyecto Mano Amiga through facilitation of workshops, community work, and events that volunteers at Bona Fide may want to become involved in.

Position Requirements:

• Minimum time commitment of 7 months
• Moderate/Advanced Spanish
• Proposal for community initiatives using a specific skills set
• Experience leading/organizing groups of people
• Self motivation, strong work ethic, interpersonal skills
• Clear documentation of program development and resources required

Internship Positions

Interns are asked to commit a minimum of three months and work a minimum of 30 hours per week and in some cases receive reduced living expenses. Internships can often times be used to gain college credit or to fulfill internship positions in your university. Interns are expected to set a good example of positive communal living, assist in training new volunteers, maintain clear and open communication with the Coordinators and Directors about the progress and needs of their projects, and work towards the overall betterment of Project Bona Fide and the community of Balgue.

Please remember that there are a limited number of internships available and that many internships are seasonal and may not apply during the time that you request. If you are interested in applying to become an intern please fill out the Internship Application and send it to coordinator@projectbonafide.com.

Animal Systems Intern- The Animal Systems intern is in charge of maintaining and improving on the current animal setups. This includes researching and developing ways to better include our animals within our already established plant systems, delving into ways to include more animals and a greater diversity of animals on the farm, and a variety of other tasks such as training new volunteers in animal care and looking into ways to preserve/cure meat. Experience with farm animals is preferred.

Field Manager Intern- Responsible for overseeing and managing planting during the wet season and is in charge of field maintenance and observation. Organizes volunteers to clear, plant, and maintain planted sectors.

Water Systems Intern - This intern is in charge of maintaining the current water system made up of pipes, pilas and tanks as well as check and service our irrigation and drip systems around the farm. Further, they should be interested in offering fresh ideas to the current system while being involved in helping redesign and improve on the farm’s current grey water system.

Greens Garden Intern - The Garden intern is in charge of running and overseeing the work undertaken in our farm gardens. This includes a volunteer garden which supplies a variety of vegetables for our own consumption; our herb garden, made up of native and non-native herbs, as well as a perennials garden made up of a variety of perennial greens, vegetables and fruits.

Medicinal Garden Intern- The Medicinal Garden Intern is responsible for the maintenance of the volunteer medicinal garden. He/she is also responsible for turning and creating new compost piles and staying on top of the tincture/salve supply, creating new concoctions when we are low. Experience in medicinal plants and natural medicine/homeopathy is a huge plus for this position.

Social Media Intern-In charge of all social media for Project Bona Fide, the Social Media Intern is responsible for updating the Blog, Facebook page, and assists in updating the website. The social media intern keeps track of all the current projects and happenings on the farm, taking pictures, videos, and upates our online audience about our current activities.

***Currently we have internships available for late Summer/Fall 2012***

Work-Trade Positions

We take on a handful of skilled workers at any one time here on the farm. These workers who come with experience in their field can step right in to help with current and future construction design projects or come specifically with their own projects in mind. Work-traders are expected to work 40+ hours a week in exchange for room and board on the farm. Furthermore, we ask for a minimum commitment of 2 months as well as specific goals, potential projects, and other logistics in mind when they arrive (designs, materials, costs, etc.). Work-traders are also expected to set a good example of positive communal living, lead projects and workshops, share their expertise with volunteers/interns, and help promote the mission and vision of the project. If you are interested in becoming one of our valued ‘work-traders’ please send us an e-mail at coordinator@projectbonafide.com. 

Natural Builders, Carpenters, Masons, Solar/Alternative Energy experts, and Engineers, Web Designers, Artists, etc. - The farm is looking for people with building, stone work, and design experience to take on and lead a variety of construction projects around the farm. We always need work done to maintain our current structures thanks to the wear and tear of the seasons, however, construction and new projects are always taking place around the farm many of which come directly from the initiative and vision of our interns and work-traders.

***Currently we have Work-Trade positions available starting Summer 2012***